In a match full of drama, Manchester United lost 4-3 to FC Copenhagen on Wednesday, following a sending off for Marcus Rashford and having given away two separate leads, to leave them bottom of their Champions League group. 

United were greeted by a raucous and hostile atmosphere at the Parken Stadium, but they did not let it affect them as they took an early lead after Scott McTominay played the ball across the Copenhagen goal for Rasmus Hojlund to calmly slot home and give the Red Devils the lead on the Dane’s return to his former side. 

A chaotic first half then ensued; which involved a pitch invasion, United defender Jonny Evans going down with injury before being taken off and a medical emergency occurring within the crowd of 36,000, all incidents requiring lengthy stoppages in play. 

This did not deter United however, who kept composure and extended their lead through a fast-paced counterattack in the 28th minute of the game, after Hojlund doubled his tally for the night, tapping in a rebounded effort from Alejandro Garnacho.  

It looked like it would be plain sailing from there on out for Manchester United, but the game was well and truly turned on its head in the 42nd minute when referee Donatas Rumsas gave a contentious red card to Marcus Rashford for a late tackle after a long VAR check. 

With the tide firmly turning to favour Copenhagen and 13 minutes of injury time following the numerous stoppages, the Danish side took full advantage, scoring on the 45th minute through Mohamed Elyounoussi. 

United’s issues worsened when they conceded a penalty though a Harry Maguire handball that was put away by Diogo Goncalves, becoming the first team in history to concede a penalty in each of their first four Champions League group matches. 

Half-time could not have come soon enough for United and it steadied them as, despite the deficit in players, they managed to fend off the advances of the Danish side and were able to generate more chances. 

The Red Devils were then handed a lifeline when VAR awarded them a penalty in the 69th minute after a handball from Lukas Lerager which was firmly dispatched by captain Bruno Fernandes to make it 3-2. 

The home side were determined to make the English side’s efforts for naught however, as they increased their pressure in the search for an equaliser. 

Their efforts would be rewarded in the 83rd minute as Lerager redeemed himself for giving away the earlier penalty by tapping home at the far post after Diogo Dalot failed to properly cover him. 

But Copenhagen was not finished just yet as in the 87th minute, defensive errors from United allowed seventeen-year-old Roony Bardghji to fire home a fierce shot, giving the Danish side the lead and a famous win in front of a buoyant home crowd. 

The defeat continues Manchester United’s miserable start to the season, leaving them bottom of the Champions League group but still with the chance to qualify for the knockout round with only a point separating them from Copenhagen and Galatasaray, who were defeated by already-qualified Bayern Munich 2-0 on the night.